Concerts@First

The mission of Concerts@First is to present a series of high quality musical concerts each year that provide cultural enrichment for the members of First Church and the community. Each of our programs brings in a different audience; the vast majority of those attendees are visitors, proving that these are incredible opportunities to open our doors to the world and welcome strangers!

Concerts@First had its debut concert in June 2007 when the First Church Choir performed Bach’s B Minor Mass. In 2009 and 2010 organist Andrew Senn captivated audiences by accompanying silent movies Phantom of the Opera and Hunchback of Notre Dame. Other highlights have included the Durufle Requiem, the Poulenc Organ Concerto, and Handel's Dixit Dominus. The 2016-17 season (our 10th season) promises to be another interesting and exciting one!

2016-17 Season

We open the season on September 25th at 4 pm, with The Helen McDermott Memorial Concert, an organ recital by acclaimed French organist, Johann Vexo. We will once again offer a silent film at Halloween; The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be shown on a giant screen while Andrew Senn improvises a sound track on the organ. On December 11th, Chancel Choir member and up and coming jazz vocalist Calli Graver will perform her show "Cheer," offering us holiday favorites with her fabulous ensemble of the city's finest jazzers. On January 29th, Andrew will return to the organ - this time in a recital of rarely heard organ music, featuring the Organ Sonata of Herbert Howells. In February, we will welcome Kara Huber, a remarkable and talented young pianist. Her program for us will be a “dry-run” as she prepares for her Carnegie Hall debut. On March 19th, Chancel Choir member Frances Tate will offer a concert of music for flute with piano and harpsichord accompaniment. In her work outside of First Church, Frances is a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Finally, there will be two Sunday worship services featuring Bach cantatas with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra - October 30th (Reformation Sunday) and March 26th (Fourth Sunday of Lent). We hope to see you at all of these wonderful musical events.

Sunday, September 25th @ 4 pm - The Helen McDermott Memorial Concert

Johann Vexo, organist - Notre Dame de Paris & Nancy Cathedral

Saturday, October 29th @ 7 pm - Silent Film for Halloween

The Hunchback of Notre Dame with improvised organ by Andrew Senn

Sunday, December 11th @ 1:30 pm - Cheer!

A holiday jazz concert featuring Calli Graver & Friends

Sunday, January 22nd @ 4 pm - Organ Concert

Andrew Senn

Sunday, February 26th @ 3 pm - Piano Concert

Kara Huber

Sunday, March 19th @ 2 pm - Flute Recital

Frances Tate

All of our programs are free of charge, with a free-will offering. This year, all donations received will be put towards "Songs Overseas," the Chancel Choir's trip to Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, England in August. Your contributions will be gratefully received, and we hope that you will be as generous as possible!

Look for more details on the Concerts@First season in Upcoming Events along with details on other music events held at First Church.